Partition system



April 28, 1953 R. MURDOCH ETAL 2,636,224

PARTITION SYSTEM 2- SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed April 26, 1951 April 8, 1953 R. MURDOCH ETAL 2,636,224

PARTITION SYSTEM Filed April 26, 195 1 2 SHEETS-Sl-IEET 2 M 2 Fl 9' Li M):

Affornex units as well.

Patented Apr. 28, 1953 PARTITION SYSTEM Louis B. Murdoch and Benjamin E. Cueny, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Application April 26, 1951, Serial No. 223,016 2 Claims. (01. 2o'-1.11l

The present invention provides for partially isolating a particular area of floor space from surrounding sound or heat conditions. Table or desk space may be provided within this area, and the general purpose is to provide a place in which work can be done in some degree of comfort in a room in which conditions of radiant heat and ambient sound level are such as to cause diniculty of concentration. Partitions of a particular construction are provided with fittings permitting the units to be easily assembled in various patterns to isolate floor areas of corresponding patterns, and then disassembled whenever desired so they may be either moved or stored without the necessity of performing extensive laher in the process. The construction of these panels is preferably such as to provide insulation both against heat and against sound. While these partitions do not reach from floor to ceiling (and it is recognized that no absolute insulation against either heat or sound can be accomplished without such dimensions), it is nevertheless true that partitions constructed according to the present invention do serve to considerably lessen the amplitude of both the ambient noise level and the effect of radiant heat rays. It is preferable, of course, that such heat rays be not simply reflected from one place on the floor to another, but should be absorbed by one side of the panels. Suitable insulation prevents the heat from passing through the panels and substantially elevating the temperature of the opposite side where the isolated working area is located. If a simple reflecting surface were used, it would be necessary to give particular attention to the relative position on the floor of various partitioned areas so that one did not tend to reflect into another.

Table ordesk units are preferably used in conjunction with the partitions discussed above, and these may be independently supported or secured directly to the partitions. At each point of juncture between partition panels, a corner post is provided; and this corner post may provide part of the support for the table or desk In order to permit light to enter the isolated floor area protected by the panels, while still retaining at least some of the panel characteristics over the full height of the structure, a section of preferably corrugated translucent material is positioned on top of the panels and in a generally vertical position. The corrugations and translucence of this material limit the passage of radiant energy through it, and to some degree interfere with the passage of sound waves from certain directions.

The construction of the panels themselves preferably involves a perforated material at the surface, and the perforations can be used as a means for supporting several types of attachments that are very useful in conjunction with the desk or table equipment. Bookcases, shelves, racks and similar items may be supported in a variety of positions simply by providing clips on the back of such units that may be inserted into the various perforations. The quantity of perforations makes it possible to position these items in almost any place that can be desired. The perforationsintended principally to deaden sound-serve double duty in this manner.

These features, and others related thereto, will be discussed in detail by an analysis of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing two partitions connected by a corner post, and showing an angular table unit and also a shelf unit in conjunction with the partitions.

Figure 2 is an end view of the panel assembly shown in Figure 1, with a portion of one of the panels broken away to show the internal con- .struction.

, Figure 3 illustrates the relationship of the panel and corner post attaching fittings.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section on the plane 4- -4 of Figure 3, and illustrates the construction of the corner post.

Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view showing the relationship of the top of the panels, the corrugated translucent panel, and one of the supporting members for the corrugated panel.

.1 Figure 6 is a section taken on the plane 6-43 ofFigure 1 and showing the construction of a shelf unit and the method of securing it to the panel.

Referring to Figure. 1, the panel units [0 and II are secured to a corner post l2, and form an angle of approximately 90. Translucent panels l3 and I4 are positioned on top of the panels [I] and .l I, respectively, and are held by the channel-shaped members l5, l8, l1, and It. A shelf unit I!) is attached to the panel I! in a manner to be discussed later, and a table unit 20 is shaped so as to conform to the angle between the panels H3 and II. The table unit 20 is provided with the leg elements 2| and 22; and the centra1 portion 23 of the table unit is supported at the corner post l2 by fittings which are not shown.

Referring to Figure 2, the panel units 10 and I I are constructed as is indicated in the brokenaway portion, and include the perforated inner and outer panels 24 and 25, respectively, the space between these panels being filled preferably by insulating material 26. The panels 24 and 25 are preferably formed of a material having low heat and sound reflecting characteristics. A pressed fibrous material known generally as Masonite has proven to be satisfactory. Suitably spacer members such as is indicated at 21 are provided preferably at the top, middle, and bottom of the panel units, the perforated panels being securedin position by fastenings entering these members.

The attaching fittings which are used to secure the panels to the corner posts, and may be used to secure a series of panels together, are best illustrated in Figure 3. The corner post l2, being square in cross-section as is indicated in Figure 4, is provided on each of its four faces with female fittings as is indicated at 21. These fittings are formed as plates having a rectangular opening 2 8. The bottom of this opening forms a horizontal abutment against which the male fitting 23 engages. The fitting 29- is mounted upon the end 36 of the panel units. A suitable recess as is indicated at 3! is machined in the post I2 so as to fall opposite each of the apertures 28 in the plates 27. It is of course preferred that the plates themselves fit into re cesses in the surface of the post I2 to present a continuous surface. It will be noted that the male fittings 29 have a downwardly-projecting extension 32 which is disposed to reach over and engage the lower extremity of the abutment provided by the lower end of the aperture 28. This arrangement of fittings makes possible the engagement and disengagement of the panels with the post by relative movement in the plane of the panels. Panels can be placed in position on the floor, and may be attached by slightly elevating them in an amount sufficient to permit the extension 32 to enter the aperture 28. The force of gravity will then maintain the panels in assembled position. Preferably, the inner edge 33 of the downwardly-extending projection 32 should be tapered in such a fashion that the engagement of the fittings forces the end 30 of the panel into close engagement with the post I2. The panels I9 and Il may either receive their support from the engagement of the fittings outlined above, or may themselves rest with their weight supported by the floor area upon the footing members 34 or 35.

At the top of each of the panels I and Ii, it is preferred that a groove as is indicated at 36 in Figure be machined to provide added support to the bottom of the corrugated panels I3 and I4. The vertical channel-shaped supporting members I5, I6, I I, and I8 are preferably attached to the panels by means of dowel extensions 37 which fit into suitable bores 38 machined in the end pieces 39. The cut-away portion of the top of the channel-shaped member I8 shown in Figure 5 clearly indicates the groove 40 which forms the channel and which supports the corrugated panel I4.

Referring to Figure 6, a shelf unit 19 is shown 4 supported upon the inner corrugated panel of the insulating partition II by means of clips such as is indicated at M. These clips are secured to the back of the shelf unit I9, and are adapted to enter one of the perforations 42 in the panels of which the partitions are formed. The shelf unit I9 is composed of the upper and lower members 43 and 44 and the central shelf 45. A sliding door 45 moves in a horizontal direction in grooves 4! and 48 in the upper and lower panels, respectively. The height of the door 46 is such that the upper edge may be inserted in the groove 51, and upward movement continued untilthe lower edge of the door 46 can be moved into the groove 48. The height of the' door 46 and the depth of the grooves 41 and 48 are adjusted so that this manner of assembly is possible while still retaining the door 46 in position when supported on the bottom of the groove-48. 1

The particular embodiments which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is our intent to claim the entire invention except as we are limited by the prior art.

We claim:

1. A partition system, comprising: a column: a plurality of insulating partition panels, said panels including a perforated surface member; shelf means; supporting means for said shelf means, said supporting means having a portion adapted to engage the perforations in said surface member; and attaching means disposed to unite said column and panels, said attaching means including inter-engaging members-adapted to engage and disengage on relative movement substantially parallel to said column and panels, said column and panels having supporting surfaces in a common plane when said attaching means are engaged.

2. A partition system, comprising: a column; a plurality of insulating partition panels, said panels including a perforated surface member; shelf means; supporting means for said shelf means, said supporting means having a portion adapted to engage the perforations in said surface member; and attaching means disposed to unite said column and panels, said attaching means including inter-engaging members adapted to engage and disengage on relative movement substantially parallel to said column and panels.

- LOUIS R. MURDOCH.

BENJAMIN El. CUENY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

